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[smarteyeball]

I know the feeling

 

[ganjiry]

From what i have read on surround/ eyefinity AMD support multiscreen gaming better than Nvidia with a lot less hassle. This is only from reading online though and not tested by myself.

 

[paulpicks21]

From what i have read on surround/ eyefinity AMD support multiscreen gaming better than Nvidia with a lot less hassle. This is only from reading online though and not tested by myself.

Yes I read that too Ryan on quite a few sites/reviews/benchmarks etc, but that was a few years back, things might have changed now, but smarteyeball is running a higher resolution on his 3 screens than the regular 1080 so that's gonna have a big impact on frame rates.

I expect if his monitors were all 1920x1080 then "maybe" you could get away with 2 cards. I think Vram plays a big part too when you go for a 3 monitor setup, I know the more you have the better as it uses a lot more.
I remember reading that somewhere, but again it was a while back.


At any rate, that is a kick ass rig smarteyeball has

 

[ganjiry]

Yeah that res is a proper fps killer
Vram is getting used a lot more nowadays enit as even the likes of BF3 will easilly use 2Gb of vram on a full 64 payer map. If i remember rightly 2Gb vram is just about ok for 3x 1920x1080 but at a low fps. Any higher res though and 4Gb is a must.

+1 thats a bostin rig you have there Smarty

 

[smarteyeball]

I expect if his monitors were all 1920x1080 then "maybe" you could get away with 2 cards. I think Vram plays a big part too when you go for a 3 monitor setup, I know the more you have the better as it uses a lot more.
I remember reading that somewhere, but again it was a while back.

While there is a difference between 1080 and 1200 in FPS, at 5760 x 1*** it's not that big a difference.

You can get away with 2 cards and surround/ef. Although I wouldn't use any less than a pair of 7950 or 670's unless you have x3 22" screens.

The main difference between 2 and 3 cards I have noticed is that areas with 2 cards, it would either top out or drop to say 45FPS. With a 3rd card, the drop is less and it would go up to 60FPS more often.

Luckily some games are playable maxed with 2 cards already. Others like Bioshock INF, it gave the frames a boost enough to keep it @ 60FPS. The only time it dips, is when entering a new area. It quickly dips down to ~30FPS and then shoots back up to 60 and virtually stays there. For two cards, some detail lowering is a must but you can find a happy speed/quality mix.

Overall the 3rd card adds between ~0-30FPS+ and higher minimum frames. That higher can be the difference between kind of jerky 45FPS to smooth 60. Some games like Arma2 however, make zero difference.

Concerning VRAM, most games handle 2GB of VRAM +Surround quite well. I wouldn't tackle it with anything lese than 1.5GB/2GB though. MSAA is a big VRAM eater at high resolutions. Each step adds ~200MB+ to usage. Without AA, or FXAA, a lot of games sit at about 1.5-1.7GB already. Add x4AA and you might hit the buffer. Without, it's still under the limit.

But the biggest frame killer I've seen so far is SSAA (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion). With surround, that has to be turned off in all games.

At any rate, that is a kick ass rig smarteyeball has

+1 thats a bostin rig you have there Smarty

Thanks guys - I do love my setup. It took years to evolve, but evolve into man awesomeness it did

(Here's what it actually looks like)





*NB ▲ - I had a very loving and understanding wife with no kids... that was the result

 

[Solarstarshines]

I expect if his monitors were all 1920x1080 then "maybe" you could get away with 2 cards. I think Vram plays a big part too when you go for a 3 monitor setup, I know the more you have the better as it uses a lot more.
I remember reading that somewhere, but again it was a while back.

While there is a difference between 1080 and 1200 in FPS, at 5760 x 1*** it's not that big a difference.

You can get away with 2 cards and surround/ef. Although I wouldn't use any less than a pair of 7950 or 670's unless you have x3 22" screens.

The main difference between 2 and 3 cards I have noticed is that areas with 2 cards, it would either top out or drop to say 45FPS. With a 3rd card, the drop is less and it would go up to 60FPS more often.

Luckily some games are playable maxed with 2 cards already. Others like Bioshock INF, it gave the frames a boost enough to keep it @ 60FPS. The only time it dips, is when entering a new area. It quickly dips down to ~30FPS and then shoots back up to 60 and virtually stays there. For two cards, some detail lowering is a must but you can find a happy speed/quality mix.

Overall the 3rd card adds between ~0-30FPS+ and higher minimum frames. That higher can be the difference between kind of jerky 45FPS to smooth 60. Some games like Arma2 however, make zero difference.

Concerning VRAM, most games handle 2GB of VRAM +Surround quite well. I wouldn't tackle it with anything lese than 1.5GB/2GB though. MSAA is a big VRAM eater at high resolutions. Each step adds ~200MB+ to usage. Without AA, or FXAA, a lot of games sit at about 1.5-1.7GB already. Add x4AA and you might hit the buffer. Without, it's still under the limit.

But the biggest frame killer I've seen so far is SSAA (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion). With surround, that has to be turned off in all games.

At any rate, that is a kick ass rig smarteyeball has

+1 thats a bostin rig you have there Smarty

Thanks guys - I do love my setup. It took years to evolve, but evolve into man awesomeness it did

(Here's what it actually looks like)





*NB ▲ - I had a very loving and understanding wife with no kids... that was the result

This single card right here is enough to run what you run by itself because Vram is very important for what you are using 5760/1200 or what ever this card 6Gb is what you need to run smooth I would be ok with this because I have that much Vram already so I would be ok with 2 cards I would get the 4 gb Versions of Nvidia to make it really run tops

you have 4.5gb with all three cards

 

[smarteyeball]

At this stage, 6GB is overkill for most games. Handy for x3 2560x1400 surround though

4GB is a real sweet spot. 2GB still good for most. Had a quick blast on Stalker COP. 1.4GB + x2AA

Games like Max Payne 3 seem to share RAM pretty well when going overboard of limit.

 

[Solarstarshines]

At this stage, 6GB is overkill for most games. Handy for x3 2560x1400 surround though

4GB is a real sweet spot. 2GB still good for most. Had a quick blast on Stalker COP. 1.4GB + x2AA

Games like Max Payne 3 seem to share RAM pretty well when going overboard of limit.

Max payne 3 for me toped out at 3gb something like that or 2gb because I remember 2x 6870's was like 1.6gb of vram

 

[ganjiry]

I expect if his monitors were all 1920x1080 then "maybe" you could get away with 2 cards. I think Vram plays a big part too when you go for a 3 monitor setup, I know the more you have the better as it uses a lot more.
I remember reading that somewhere, but again it was a while back.

While there is a difference between 1080 and 1200 in FPS, at 5760 x 1*** it's not that big a difference.

You can get away with 2 cards and surround/ef. Although I wouldn't use any less than a pair of 7950 or 670's unless you have x3 22" screens.

The main difference between 2 and 3 cards I have noticed is that areas with 2 cards, it would either top out or drop to say 45FPS. With a 3rd card, the drop is less and it would go up to 60FPS more often.

Luckily some games are playable maxed with 2 cards already. Others like Bioshock INF, it gave the frames a boost enough to keep it @ 60FPS. The only time it dips, is when entering a new area. It quickly dips down to ~30FPS and then shoots back up to 60 and virtually stays there. For two cards, some detail lowering is a must but you can find a happy speed/quality mix.

Overall the 3rd card adds between ~0-30FPS+ and higher minimum frames. That higher can be the difference between kind of jerky 45FPS to smooth 60. Some games like Arma2 however, make zero difference.

Concerning VRAM, most games handle 2GB of VRAM +Surround quite well. I wouldn't tackle it with anything lese than 1.5GB/2GB though. MSAA is a big VRAM eater at high resolutions. Each step adds ~200MB+ to usage. Without AA, or FXAA, a lot of games sit at about 1.5-1.7GB already. Add x4AA and you might hit the buffer. Without, it's still under the limit.

But the biggest frame killer I've seen so far is SSAA (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion). With surround, that has to be turned off in all games.

At any rate, that is a kick ass rig smarteyeball has

+1 thats a bostin rig you have there Smarty

Thanks guys - I do love my setup. It took years to evolve, but evolve into man awesomeness it did

(Here's what it actually looks like)





*NB ▲ - I had a very loving and understanding wife with no kids... that was the result

Cheers for the info mate, Very helpfull
Wicked man cave

 

[paulpicks21]

I expect if his monitors were all 1920x1080 then "maybe" you could get away with 2 cards. I think Vram plays a big part too when you go for a 3 monitor setup, I know the more you have the better as it uses a lot more.
I remember reading that somewhere, but again it was a while back.

While there is a difference between 1080 and 1200 in FPS, at 5760 x 1*** it's not that big a difference.

You can get away with 2 cards and surround/ef. Although I wouldn't use any less than a pair of 7950 or 670's unless you have x3 22" screens.

The main difference between 2 and 3 cards I have noticed is that areas with 2 cards, it would either top out or drop to say 45FPS. With a 3rd card, the drop is less and it would go up to 60FPS more often.

Luckily some games are playable maxed with 2 cards already. Others like Bioshock INF, it gave the frames a boost enough to keep it @ 60FPS. The only time it dips, is when entering a new area. It quickly dips down to ~30FPS and then shoots back up to 60 and virtually stays there. For two cards, some detail lowering is a must but you can find a happy speed/quality mix.

Overall the 3rd card adds between ~0-30FPS+ and higher minimum frames. That higher can be the difference between kind of jerky 45FPS to smooth 60. Some games like Arma2 however, make zero difference.

Concerning VRAM, most games handle 2GB of VRAM +Surround quite well. I wouldn't tackle it with anything lese than 1.5GB/2GB though. MSAA is a big VRAM eater at high resolutions. Each step adds ~200MB+ to usage. Without AA, or FXAA, a lot of games sit at about 1.5-1.7GB already. Add x4AA and you might hit the buffer. Without, it's still under the limit.

But the biggest frame killer I've seen so far is SSAA (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion). With surround, that has to be turned off in all games.

+1 thats a bostin rig you have there Smarty

Thanks guys - I do love my setup. It took years to evolve, but evolve into man awesomeness it did

(Here's what it actually looks like)





*NB ▲ - I had a very loving and understanding wife with no kids... that was the result

This single card right here is enough to run what you run by itself because Vram is very important for what you are using 5760/1200 or what ever this card 6Gb is what you need to run smooth I would be ok with this because I have that much Vram already so I would be ok with 2 cards I would get the 4 gb Versions of Nvidia to make it really run tops

you have 4.5gb with all three cards

I just want to clarify something with you Solar, cos from the way you have worded this it appears you think all the vram from GPU's is added together.

It's not. It only uses the Vram from 1 card in any SLI or Xfire set up. You could have 4 of mine or your cards in Xfire but it will only ever be able to use 3GB.

Paul.

 

[Solarstarshines]

While there is a difference between 1080 and 1200 in FPS, at 5760 x 1*** it's not that big a difference.

You can get away with 2 cards and surround/ef. Although I wouldn't use any less than a pair of 7950 or 670's unless you have x3 22" screens.

The main difference between 2 and 3 cards I have noticed is that areas with 2 cards, it would either top out or drop to say 45FPS. With a 3rd card, the drop is less and it would go up to 60FPS more often.

Luckily some games are playable maxed with 2 cards already. Others like Bioshock INF, it gave the frames a boost enough to keep it @ 60FPS. The only time it dips, is when entering a new area. It quickly dips down to ~30FPS and then shoots back up to 60 and virtually stays there. For two cards, some detail lowering is a must but you can find a happy speed/quality mix.

Overall the 3rd card adds between ~0-30FPS+ and higher minimum frames. That higher can be the difference between kind of jerky 45FPS to smooth 60. Some games like Arma2 however, make zero difference.

Concerning VRAM, most games handle 2GB of VRAM +Surround quite well. I wouldn't tackle it with anything lese than 1.5GB/2GB though. MSAA is a big VRAM eater at high resolutions. Each step adds ~200MB+ to usage. Without AA, or FXAA, a lot of games sit at about 1.5-1.7GB already. Add x4AA and you might hit the buffer. Without, it's still under the limit.

But the biggest frame killer I've seen so far is SSAA (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion). With surround, that has to be turned off in all games.






Thanks guys - I do love my setup. It took years to evolve, but evolve into man awesomeness it did

(Here's what it actually looks like)





*NB ▲ - I had a very loving and understanding wife with no kids... that was the result

This single card right here is enough to run what you run by itself because Vram is very important for what you are using 5760/1200 or what ever this card 6Gb is what you need to run smooth I would be ok with this because I have that much Vram already so I would be ok with 2 cards I would get the 4 gb Versions of Nvidia to make it really run tops

you have 4.5gb with all three cards

I just want to clarify something with you Solar, cos from the way you have worded this it appears you think all the vram from GPU's is added together.

It's not. It only uses the Vram from 1 card in any SLI or Xfire set up. You could have 4 of mine or your cards in Xfire but it will only ever be able to use 3GB.

Paul.

Well I hate to prove you wrong but the proof is right here and it clearly shows what I have available through 2 cards of video ram im using 1600mb but it shows total Vram 6 Gbs so yes I am correct it does combine when 2 cards are in play

 

[Dude]

It shows the vram, but it only uses the vram from one card. They share the workload as it is mirrored on the cards.

 

[Solarstarshines]

It shows the vram, but it only uses the vram from one card. They share the workload.

I posted 2 pics one with the correct res and one with out yes it will use only Vram from one card the bigger the RES the more V ram just a simple res adjustment brought more Vram into play

as you see it has what I am using and total available why would it say that if it doesn't recognize it as being together if that was the case it would only show 3 Gb no matter what the game shows all 6 gb are ready for play if I used bigger resolution that is what it comes down too

 

[Solarstarshines]

I'm looking for more information to support my claim

See this is the thing I know both card have there own processing unit yes that is true and yes this is mirrored off each other to show 6gb but when higher resolution comes into play that other card has to give up some in order to help out if you get what im saying

 

[paulpicks21]

Hi Solar,

It was from personal experience that I gained this knowledge.

I had GTA4 when I has a single gtx560ti 1gb, I could not run the game on max settings so I decided to add another card thinking it would double my memory.
I bought the 2nd card, installed it and ran GTA4 again. To my dismay it had exactly the same problem and ran out of Vram as it still only had 1gb available to use.
I spent the next few hours trawling through countless forums and articles on Vram use in sli and xfire and they all came back with the exact same information. That a PC will only ever use the Vram from 1 card.

Have a look round yourself by all means. In the last screenshot you posted it looks like it is maxing out the ram on the 680sli and on the 1.5gb 580, but it does not show what version for the 7970, they might both be 6gb versions?

I would love for you to correct me on this, but from personal experience I don't think it's possible.

Paul.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Hi Solar,

It was from personal experience that I gained this knowledge.

I had GTA4 when I has a single gtx560ti 1gb, I could not run the game on max settings so I decided to add another card thinking it would double my memory.
I bought the 2nd card, installed it and ran GTA4 again. To my dismay it had exactly the same problem and ran out of Vram as it still only had 1gb available to use.
I spent the next few hours trawling through countless forums and articles on Vram use in sli and xfire and they all came back with the exact same information. That a PC will only ever use the Vram from 1 card.

Have a look round yourself by all means. In the last screenshot you posted it looks like it is maxing out the ram on the 680sli and on the 1.5gb 580, but it does not show what version for the 7970, they might both be 6gb versions?

I would love for you to correct me on this, but from personal experience I don't think it's possible.

Paul.

I agree with you on it using one card that is true but I know im not using 6gb cards and for the record AMD is a little different then Nvidia all together from the information I gather and screen shot is only shows AMD cards doing this as when I was using 2x 6870's my Vram appeared at 2040gbs but used 1.5 Gb in Game play if I had a screen shot of my old set up I would show you but I don't and I truly believe AMD just made it work that way underlined everyone will say the same thing but I never ran out of Vram on that game and I have it cranked to the max with 6870's so my experience and what I seen im not limited Nvidia's Gpu are

 

[sygnus21]

Looking to build a high performance system...

Reposted in the Show us your rig forum - http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/285427-show-us-your-rig-5-a-56.html#post2407936

Posted here by mistake

 

[essenbe]

Sygnus, looks like a great system. As for motherboards, I'm partial to Asus over Asrock. I own both but prefer the Asus. I've looked several times in the past and just have trouble picking an X79 board. It seems that none of them have stellar ratings. But, for that CPU, I would definately go with one of the better boards. Perhaps the RampageIV or a sabertooth. You've chosen some nice ram too. I really can't offer an opinion on the Graphics card other than I would find a 7950 or 7970 for that set up, especially if you are going with 1 card.

Another option since you are waiting until September is see what Haswell is like and see if AMD comes out with a new generation of card and see what it's like. personally, I'm not expecting much from Haswell that would match the CPU you have chosen, but I've been surprised before. Just my 2 cents.

BTW, the system in your specs is nothing to be ashamed of. That's a very good system. You did well on it.

 

[smarteyeball]

As for motherboards, I'm partial to Asus over Asrock. I own both but prefer the Asus.

I see my influence has payed off well


I prefer to pay a little extra for Asus boards. They've been largely good to me.

 

[essenbe]

As for motherboards, I'm partial to Asus over Asrock. I own both but prefer the Asus.

I see my influence has payed off well


I prefer to pay a little extra for Asus boards. They've been largely good to me.

Patrick, your influence has paid off on more than just boards. I've learned an awful lot from you and hope to learn more in the future. I can't say anything bad about my Asrock board. It is very stable, cheaper for the features you get and has done most anything I've asked of it. But, the Asus board is better quality, has many more bios options and will absolutely do more than I can ever imagine doing. I've owned a few Asus boards, but it seems the ROG boards are the best, for my money. I can't lie, having Extreme behind the Maximus name just makes me feel like it's running faster, but the truth is, it will run as fast as you want.